Wales have a new skipper in their midst after Dan Biggar was selected to lead the team in Alun Wyn Jones' absence during the upcoming defence of their Six Nations title.
Head coach Wayne Pivac was forced to change his captain after announcing his squad on Tuesday, including three uncapped players in contention to make their Test debuts.
Wales begin their defence of the Six Nations crown against Ireland at Dublin's Aviva Stadium in the tournament's opening fixture on February 5.
Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan, club team-mate Dewi Lake and Cardiff lock James Ratti are the three faces targeting their first international minutes for the incumbent champions.
Veteran Jones isn't the only major absentee, however, with Bath No. 8 Taulupe Faletau —who will join Cardiff this summer —failing to recover from the injury that's kept him sidelined since last year's Lions tour.
It was already known that fellow Lions star Ken Owens wouldn't be fit for the Six Nations, while Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, George North and Leigh Halfpenny are also missing through injury.
And while Ospreys legend Jones was also expected to miss out, fans may have held the faintest glimmer of hope the 36-year-old would stage a miraculous recovery to somehow feature.
Pivac looked forward to the title defence and described this competition as a key step in Wales' preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France: “We are excited to get back together as a squad when we meet up on Monday.
“The Guinness Six Nations is a very special competition and we want to go out and win, like every other nation. This is tournament rugby, so it’s about working hard in training and preparing well each week.
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“Last year the Six Nations offered fans an exciting brand of rugby with lots of tries and, while we know we have five tough matches ahead and the margins in Test rugby are fine, we are looking forward to the challenge.
“With the World Cup on the horizon next year, every match will be important for development on the road to France."
Exeter Chiefs lock and highly touted prospect Christ Tshiunza will be making his first appearance at a Six Nations, as will Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts, each of whom debuted for Wales in the autumn.
Biggar could feasibly reach his century of Wales caps if he appears in all five fixtures over the next two months, with only six players having surpassed that milestone to date.
Back-rower Ross Moriarty and winger Alex Cuthbert could each bring up 50 caps for their country, meanwhile.
Ospreys lock and Lions tourist Adam Beard has been named Biggar's vice-captain, meanwhile, as he attempts to fill Jones' shoes in more ways than one.
Cardiff's Principality Stadium will once again be permitted capacity crowds after the Welsh government recently relaxed Covid-19 measures following signs of encouragement against the Omicron variant.
“It’s fantastic news that we will continue to have crowds at Principality Stadium," Pivac added.
“We have the most incredible fans and the atmosphere they create is second to none. I know the players cannot wait to get back out and put in a performance for them.”
Wales squad for 2022 Six Nations
Forwards: Rhys Carre, Wyn Jones, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Bradley Roberts, Leon Brown, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard (Vice-Captain), Ben Carter, Seb Davies, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Basham, Ellis Jenkins, Jac Morgan, Ross Moriarty, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs: Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar (Captain), Rhys Priestland, Callum Sheedy, Jonathan Davies, Uilisi Halaholo, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert, Louis Rees-Zammit, Johnny McNicholl, Liam Williams
